Personal Floatation Device Sleeve

ABSTRACT

The personal floatation device (PFD) sleeve presented in this application comprises a sleeve in the form of a strip that can be worn on a swimmer&#39;s appendage including leg, calf and arm. The PFD sleeve may be made of a flexible, water resistant material. The PFD sleeve comprises a single compartment wherein a deflated PFD with CO 2  cartridge is stored during swimming, and a first and a second connection panel whose major function is to wrap around the appendage of a swimmer using the fastening means on their surfaces. The present invention provides a PFD that is simple, reliable, light-weight, compact and can be inflated and deployed quickly during an emergency to support a swimmer floating on the water but does not affect the swimmer&#39;s mobility before it is deployed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to personal floatation devices and, more particularly to a personal floatation device that is deflated and can be worn on a user's appendage while swimming without affecting user's mobility and can be quickly inflated and deployed when the need for use or an emergency arises.

2. Description of Related Art

It does not matter whether a person is a novice or expert in swimming, physically fit or weak, everyone has a limit to their physical endurance or may encounter an emergency after being in the water for a prolonged period of time; they may require some form of assistance to stay afloat for periods beyond such limit. Personal floatation devices (PFD's) are commonly used in recreational water sports as a safety apparatus to prevent accidental death due to drowning. This is primarily achieved through the use of buoyant materials in the PFD which help support the body near the water surface, particularly the head and face of the wearer, so they may float on or near the surface with little or no effort. The PFD may be in the form of a vest with openings for a wearer's neck, arms and waist. A strap with a locking buckle allows the wearer to secure the vest around their torso.

There are mainly two types of PFD: a PFD made of foam and an inflatable PFD. It is preferred to minimize the bulk of the foam to allow sufficient freedom of arm and shoulder mobility demanded by recreational water sports. However the foam must be of sufficient volume in order to support the weight of an adult, and this requirement generally results in bulkiness of the personal floatation device which many individuals find objectionable. Hard foams are typically used due to their high buoyancy characteristics and low cost. Examples of hard foams include closed cell polyethylene and polypropylene foams. One type of closed cell polypropylene foam is FF2C foam. Hard foam does not conform well to a person's body, and is therefore found to be uncomfortable during use.

Another type of personal floatation devices is inflatable which may eliminate some of the objections of the foam personal floatation devices. However, these personal floatation devices typically fit over the head of the user and cover the chest and may be attached at the waist; these types of personal floatation devices are warm especially if worn during the summer time.

Therefore, many users tend to remove the PFD and place them out of reach during their activity, or abstain from wearing the PFD altogether because they find the PFD uncomfortable. It would be desirable to be able to wear a personal floatation device which does not affect the mobility of the user wearing the device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary object of the invention is to provide a PFD that can be carried by a swimmer while swimming without affecting the mobility of a swimmer before the floatation device is deployed.

The object of the invention is to provide a PFD that does not significantly impact the hydrodynamics of the swimmer before it is deployed.

The object of the invention is to provide a PFD that can be reached and deployed by a swimmer when needed.

The object of the invention is to provide a PFD that is simple and reliable and can be released quickly during an emergency.

The object of the invention is to provide a PFD that can provide sufficient buoyancy to support the swimmer once it is deployed until further assistance is arrived.

The object of the invention is to provide a PFD that is light-weight, compact and easy to carry when the PFD is not deployed.

The PFD sleeve presented in this application comprises a PFD contained in a sleeve that is in the form of a strip and can be worn on a user's appendage including leg, calf and arm. The preferred embodiment is worn on the thigh. The sleeve comprises a single compartment wherein a deflated PFD with at least one CO₂ cartridge is stored during swimming; and a first and a second connection panel whose major function is to wrap around a swimmer's appendage using fastening means such as Velcro loop and hook on their surfaces where the hooks of each panel of the Velcro may overlap the loops on that panel.

The PFD includes life vest and any personal floatation device known in the art. When a swimmer encounters a situation, for example, fatigue or cramp, or feels the need for floating assistance, the swimmer can pull the cord on the PFD to trigger the CO₂ releasing mechanism; the PFD is inflated by the CO2 cartridge and quickly deployed out of the compartment/sleeve. The PFD is attached to the sleeve by a string to prevent the PFD from traveling beyond the swimmer's reach. The PFD sleeve is light-weight (less than one pound) and compact, so it does not weigh down the swimmer. Also it is compact, so it won't affect the swimmer's mobility and hydrodynamics. The PFD sleeve further comprises fastening means such as Velcro loop and hook panels to attach the sleeve to the swimmer's appendage.

In one embodiment, the PFD storing compartment is made of a bottom panel, and two top walls. The two top walls partially and loosely overlap each other such that when the gas releasing mechanism is triggered the PFD will be inflated and deployed from the compartment/sleeve. The two top layers may further comprise fastening means (such as Velcro) to attach to each other. The compartment may be made of materials known in the art. The PFD may be any personal floatation device known in the art. The compartment may be of any shapes, preferably in a rectangular shape.

When not in use, the PFD sleeve may be folded to make it compact and easy to carry around. This may be done by folding the second connection panel toward the PFD compartment wherein a PFD is enclosed, and then the first connection panel is folded towards the PFD compartment to engage the Velcro loops of the first connection panel with the Velcro hooks of the second connection panel.

The more important features of the invention have thus been outlined in order that the more detailed description that follows may be better understood and in order that the present contribution to the art may better be appreciated. Additional features of the invention will be described hereinafter and will form the subject matter of the claims that follow.

Before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

The foregoing has outlined, rather broadly, the preferred feature of the present invention so that those skilled in the art may better understand the detailed description of the invention that follows. Additional features of the invention will be described hereinafter that form the subject of the claims of the invention. Those skilled in the art should appreciate that they can readily use the disclosed conception and specific embodiment as a basis for designing or modifying other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention and that such other structures do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention in its broadest form.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other aspects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following detailed description, the appended claim, and the accompanying drawings in which similar elements are given similar reference numerals.

FIG. 1 is a top view of the external surface of a personal floatation device sleeve of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the personal floatation device sleeve wherein the internal surface is on the bottom and the external surface of the PFD sleeve is on the top.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the personal floatation device sleeve attached to a user's thigh.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The personal floatation device (PFD) sleeve presented in this application comprises a PFD contained in a sleeve that is in the form of one or two strips. The PFD sleeve 100 has two surfaces, an internal surface facing the human body and an external surface facing the water. In one of the embodiment, the PFD sleeve 100 includes (1) a strip having a first connection panel 111, a second connection panel 109, and a region 110 between the first connection panel 111 and the second connection panel 109; (2) a PFD compartment 101 attached to the region between the first connection panel and the second connection panel for storing personal floatation device 103; (3) a personal floatation device (PFD) 103; and (4) a tether 107 to connect the floatation device to the PFD compartment 101. FIG. 1 illustrates a top view of the external surface of a PFD sleeve 100 of the present invention. The PFD compartment 101 may be opened and closed to allow access and deployment of a PFD 103 which may be inflatable by releasing a stored gas in a container 105. The PFD 103 may include a tether 107 to connect the compartment 101 and the PFD 103 to prevent the PFD 103 from traveling beyond the reach of the user. The PFD 100 maybe formed from a flexible, water resistant material or other appropriate material.

Compartment 101 is sewn onto the region 110 of the strip between the second connection panel 109 and the first connection panel 111. The second connection panel 109 which may be flexible or rigid and the first connection panel 111 which may be flexible or rigid, and the second connection panel 109 may be substantially rectangular and may be detachably connected to the first connection panel 111 by a fastener means 113 which may include Velcro (hooks and loops), buttons or other types of fastening devices.

The first connection panel 111 may include a traverse fold line which may extend across the width of the first connection panel 111 to allow the first connection panel 111 to be folded in order to cooperate with the second connection panel 109. Referring to FIG. 2, the external surface 117 of the second connection panel 109 may include Velcro which may be either hooks or loops. The first connection panel 111 may be connected to the connection compartment 101 on an opposing side with respect to the second connection panel 109 and may include a plurality of fingers which extends outwards from the first connection panel 111. The fingers may cooperate with the fingers on the external surface 117 of the second connection panel 109. The present invention may include any number of fingers. In one embodiment, the width of the PFD sleeve 100 is about 6.5 inch.

FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of the PFD sleeve 100 wherein the internal surface (that is the surface facing the human body) is on the bottom and the external surface of the PFD assembly 100 is on the top. The external surface is made of rubber or oil-resistant synthetic rubber (neoprene). On the region of the second connection panel 109 a layer of fabric fastening means such as Velcro loop or hook 112 is sewn on the external surface. The fastening means such as Velcro hook or loop 113 is sewn on the internal surface of the first panel 111.

In an embodiment the hooks of the Velcro strips may be on the outside where they overlap the loops.

Compartment 101 holding the PFD has a bottom wall 123, a first side wall 126, a second side wall 127, a first top wall 124 and a second top wall 125, wherein the two top walls partially overlap. The bottom wall is sewn on the region 110 between the first connection panel 111 and the second connection panel 109. The first side wall 126 connects the bottom wall 123 to the first top wall 124. The second side wall 127 connects the bottom wall 123 to the second top wall 125. There may be fastener device 131 along the periphery of the interior surface of the first top wall 124 to engage with a fastener device 132 along the opposing periphery of the surface of the second top wall 125. The bottom wall, two side walls and two top walls form a neoprene rectangular shape compartment with four sides. The first top wall 124 may be detachably connected to the second top wall 125 in order to release and gain access to the floatation device 103. The compartment 101 is illustrated as being substantially rectangular, however other shapes such as circular or oval are within the scope of the present invention. In one embodiment, the thickness of the neoprene strip of the PFD sleeve is about 3 mm.

The second connection panel 109 has four sections of Velcro hooks; the first three sections are about 3 inch wide and the last section which is located at the end is about 5 inch wide. Between each section the gap is about 1 inch. Between the first section of the second connector panel 109 and the PFD compartment, the gap is about 0.5 inch. Between the PFD compartment and the first connection panel 111, the gap is about 0.5 inch. The first connection panel 111 is about 5 inches wide. The compartment 101 is around 0.5 inch tall and 4.5 inches wide. The two top walls 124 and 125 overlapping region is about 0.75 inches wherein the first top wall 124 comprises Velcro hooks and the second top wall 125 comprises Velcro loops to attach to each other.

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of the PFD sleeve 100 that is attached to a user's appendage. A cord 105 that can trigger releasing of CO₂ in the PFD 103 is facing up for a user to pull and inflate the PFD 103. The two fingers 133 of the first and second connection panels are folded over to wrap around the user's thigh.

The PFD sleeve 100 may be manufactured and sold independently without the PFD 103. The tether connected to the PFD compartment 101 may contain a hook, for example a snap hook, such that it can be used with other compatible PFD sold in the market.

While there have been shown and described and pointed out the fundamental novel features of the invention as applied to the preferred embodiments, it will be understood that the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention and not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Obvious modifications or variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The embodiments discussed were chosen and described to provide the best illustration of the principles of the invention and its practical application to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the invention as determined by the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they are entitled. 

1. A personal floatation device (PFD) sleeve which is worn on a swimmer's appendage comprising: a first connection panel; a second connection panel; a personal floating device; a PFD compartment for storing the personal floatation device coupled to the first and second connection panels; and a tether to connect the personal floatation device to the PFD compartment; wherein the first and second connection panels each have fastening means to engage with fastening means on the first and second connection panel such that the PFD sleeve is attached to a swimmer's appendage.
 2. The PFD sleeve of claim 1, wherein the PFD compartment is between the first connection panel and the second connection panel.
 3. The PFD sleeve of claim 1, wherein the PFD compartment comprises a first top wall and a second top wall; the first top wall partially overlap with the second top wall such that the stored PFD can be held and inflated and deployed quickly when in emergency.
 4. The PFD sleeve of claim 3, wherein the first top wall and the second top wall having fastening means to engage with each other.
 5. The PFD sleeve of claim 1, wherein the PFD compartment may be in any shapes, preferably in a rectangular shape.
 6. The PFD sleeve of claim 1, wherein the PFD has at least one CO₂ cartridges so that the PFD can be deployed quickly when in emergency.
 7. The PFD sleeve of claim 1 is light weight and compact in size.
 8. The PFD sleeve of claim 1 can be worn on any appendage of a user including legs, calves, arms, preferably calves.
 9. The PFD sleeve of claim 1 may be made of a flexible, water resistant material or other appropriate material.
 10. The PFD sleeve of claim 1, wherein the PFD compartment is flexible.
 11. The PFD sleeve of claim 1, wherein the PFD compartment is semi-rigid.
 12. The PFD sleeve of claim 1, wherein the first connection panel is flexible.
 13. The PFD sleeve of claim 1, wherein the second connection panel is flexible.
 14. A personal floatation device (PFD) sleeve which is worn on a swimmer's appendage for emergency comprising: a first connection panel; a second connection panel; a PFD compartment for storing a personal floatation device; and a tether with a hook to connect the floatation device to the PFD compartment; the first connection panel having fastening means to engage with fastening means on the second connection panel such that the PFD sleeve is attached to a swimmer's appendage.
 15. The PFD sleeve of claim 14, wherein the PFD compartment is between the first connection panel and the second connection panel.
 16. The PFD sleeve of claim 14, wherein the PFD compartment comprises a first top wall and a second top wall; the first top wall partially overlap with the second top wall such that the stored PFD can be held and inflated and deployed quickly when in emergency.
 17. The PFD sleeve of claim 15, wherein the first top wall and the second top wall having fastening means to engage with each other.
 18. The PFD sleeve of claim 14, wherein the PFD compartment may be in any shapes, preferably in rectangular shape.
 19. The PFD sleeve of claim 14 can be worn on any appendages of a user including legs, calves, arms, preferably calves.
 20. A method for constructing and manufacturing the PFD sleeve recited in claim 1 according to the present invention. 